In an implicit rebuke of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, a bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers have cosponsored a resolution in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization , the six-decade-old alliance the real estate tycoon has accused of being “outdated” and obsolete….

For over six decades, NATO has been a successful intergovernmental political and military alliance,” reads the resolution, expected to be rolled out Wednesday afternoon. “Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has evolved to take on new dangers including terrorism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and cyber-attacks.”

The lead sponsors of the resolution, Democratic Rep. John Delaney of Maryland and Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, say the timing of the resolution is solely linked to the legislative debate over a new defense authorization bill, but both lawmakers are outspoken critics of Trump.

“His comments are incredibly misguided and lack a historical understanding of what this alliance has done,” Delaney told FP. “He also has a deeply disturbing lack of appreciation for NATO’s role in dealing with terrorism.”

Kinzinger has previously said Trump exhibits a lack of experience on foreign policy and has called on him to “tone down” his rhetoric. “You have to understand that your words have impact,” he said last week….

“Donald Trump’s plan to pull back from some of our most important alliances is reckless and irresponsible,” Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) told FP. “I am proud to support this resolution calling on the U.S. to remain a leader in NATO, stand up to Russian aggression.”

Image: US Capital, Feb. 27, 2005 (photo: Phil Romans)